13 Essential Dog Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know
Dog LoveShare
Thirteen things that actually matter for a dog in Adelaide
Not a generic checklist. These are the things we see go wrong, and the things South Australian owners deal with that owners elsewhere do not.
Almost everything that lands on our grooming table began as something small that was left a fortnight too long. Coats, nails, ears, weight. None of it goes wrong suddenly.
Grass seeds are the Adelaide problem
From late spring through summer, dried grass seeds work their way into paws, ears, armpits and the coat behind the front legs. They are barbed, so they only travel one way, inward. A seed that gets between the toes or into an ear canal can turn into an abscess and a vet visit within days.
Check your dog's feet after every walk through dry grass. Feel between every toe. Long coated dogs need the hair between the pads kept short through summer, which is part of a normal groom.
Hot ground burns paws
Adelaide bitumen in January will burn pads. Press the back of your hand to the footpath and hold it there for seven seconds. If you cannot, your dog cannot walk on it. Walk early morning or after dark through summer, and remember that grass stays far cooler than paving or sand.
Brushing is not about tidiness
For curly, long and double coated dogs, brushing is the difference between a comfortable dog and a matted one. A mat pulls at the skin constantly, traps moisture, and hides what is underneath.
Brush to the skin, not across the top. Lift the coat in sections, brush from the roots outward, and check with a metal comb. Our guide on brushing properly at home covers the technique.
If you can hear the nails, they are too long
Clicking on floorboards means the nail is hitting the ground before the pad does, which tilts the paw and loads the joints wrongly. Trim every three to four weeks. Our nail trimming guide explains why regular trims also shorten the quick over time.
Ears, especially after swimming
Floppy eared and swimming dogs are prone to infection because the canal stays warm and damp. Check weekly for redness, smell or head shaking. Clean the outer ear only, with a proper ear cleaner on a cotton ball. Never push anything into the canal, and see a vet if there is discharge or your dog is in pain.
Weight is the quiet one
Excess weight shortens a dog's life and drives joint disease, and it creeps up so slowly that owners genuinely do not see it. Use the hands test: from above there should be a waist, and you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer without pressing hard. If you cannot feel them, adjust portions with your vet.
Measure the food
Feed measured meals rather than leaving a bowl down all day, and check the guide on your specific food, since calorie density varies enormously between brands. Treats count towards the daily total, and for a small dog a few treats can be a quarter of it.
Mental work tires a dog faster than distance
A sniffing walk where the dog chooses the route does more for a busy brain than a longer march on a tight leash. Scatter feeding, food puzzles and short training sessions genuinely reduce the chewing and barking that come from boredom.
Walk them on a harness, keep the collar for tags
A collar concentrates every pull on the throat. A harness spreads it across the chest and shoulders, which matters most for small breeds, flat faced breeds and anything that lunges. Our guide on harness vs collar safety explains where the force actually goes, and the fit guide covers measuring.
Take the harness off at home. Gear worn all day rubs the same spot for hours and is the most common cause of felted armpits we see.
Start handling early, and keep it boring
A puppy who learns that paws, ears and mouths get touched without drama becomes a dog who is easy to groom, easy to medicate and easy for a vet to examine. Handle the feet daily. Look in the mouth. Keep it short and unremarkable, and reward calm.
Socialisation means calm exposure, not chaos
The goal is a dog who can be near other dogs, people, traffic and noise without reacting. That is built by many short, positive, low pressure experiences, not by throwing a nervous dog into a busy dog park and hoping.
Teeth, before they cost you
Dental disease is one of the most common and most preventable problems in dogs. Brush a few times a week with a dog specific paste, never human toothpaste. Bad breath is not normal; it is usually the first sign something needs looking at.
Know your plan before you need it
Have your vet's number and your nearest after hours emergency clinic saved in your phone now, not at 11pm on a Sunday. Keep microchip details current, because a chip registered to an old phone number is no use to anyone.
Common things in Australian homes and gardens that are toxic to dogs include chocolate, grapes and sultanas, onion and garlic, xylitol in sugar free products, macadamias, and snail bait. If your dog eats any of them, ring your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms.
Common questions
How much exercise does a dog actually need?
It depends on age, breed and health, and most adult dogs do well on 30 minutes to two hours a day. Puppies need far less than owners expect, and forced exercise on a growing dog can damage joints. Quality matters as much as quantity; a sniffing walk tires a dog more than a brisk march.
How do I know if my dog is overweight?
Look from above for a visible waist between the ribs and hips, then feel along the ribs with flat hands. You should feel them under a thin covering without pressing. If you cannot, talk to your vet about portions before it affects the joints.
How often should my dog be groomed?
Every six weeks for most curly and long coated breeds, and every six to eight weeks for double coated dogs needing a deshed. Short coated dogs need less, though they still benefit from regular baths, nails and ear checks.
What should I check after a walk in summer?
Feet first, including between every toe, for grass seeds. Then ears, armpits and the coat behind the front legs. Grass seeds are barbed and only travel inward, so finding them early saves a vet visit.
Is it safe to walk my dog on hot pavement?
Press the back of your hand to the surface for seven seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for paws. Walk early or late in summer and stay on grass where you can.
Half of this list is easier when someone else does it. We are in Tranmere, and we do the coat, nails and ears in one visit.